Words by Jamie Crocker
Time is one of our most precious assets. Enhancing it becomes even more crucial when it is limited.
Cornwall Hospice Care is a 24/7 Cornish healthcare charity that provides compassionate, specialised end-of-life care for patients, their families and carers. They offer in-patient care at Mount Edgcumbe and St Julia’s Hospices, Lymphoedema clinics, community support hubs and bereavement services. This is a free provision, thanks to the local Cornish community, who generously support the essential work they perform in a variety of ways.
Making time matter for patients is essential. At their two hospices, they have time to help people fulfil their wishes, from a special meal to a visit from their pet or a party with friends. We asked three members of their Ward Teams to share their stories of how they made a day matter for a patient. Their recollections, sometimes simple, sometimes bizarre, are a heart-warming and very human testimony to the compassion that motivates all of the staff at Cornwall Hospice Care and how they help bring a little bit of light into people’s lives.
Sarah, a senior staff nurse at St Julia’s Hospice in Hayle, emphasises the importance of small, meaningful experiences for patients. She offers her thoughts. “For me, although we do some amazing, big events that mark significant moments in people’s lives, it’s often the little things that stand out the most. At St Julia’s, all of our rooms open out onto the garden, and each room is private, so every patient has a view of the outside. There’s something so important about that connection to nature – especially when many of our patients have spent time in hospital, often without access to the outdoors at all.
“Our garden is really special, thanks to our incredible team of volunteers. This year, despite all the rain, they’ve managed to make it look stunning. The greenery, the flowers, the flecks of colour – it matters so much. It’s more than just a view; it’s a reminder of life beyond these walls, a touch of normality.
“We also have bird tables, and it’s heart-warming to see how much joy they bring. Families often bring in nuts and seeds, spending a small fortune to keep the birds well-fed. Watching them come and go makes a difference in the lives of our patients. We even get a few cheeky squirrels sneaking in to pinch some of the food. It’s just another little piece of life, reminding everyone of the world outside the hospice.
“Speaking of nature and animals, we’re incredibly fortunate to have Paradise Park right around the corner. They’ve been wonderfully generous, offering great discounts for our patients and their families. I remember one patient in particular who wanted to have one last day out with their entire family – everyone from grandparents down to little kids. Paradise Park made that happen, giving them a day full of laughter, love and togetherness. It was a truly special day for them, and being able to facilitate that kind of experience is one of the most incredible parts of what we do here.”
Lucy, a staff nurse at Mount Edgecombe Hospice, recounts her story, “I’ve been working here for the past 18 months, and it’s a role I truly cherish. One of the most memorable experiences I’ve had was making a real difference for one of our patients. This particular gentleman was an avid and competitive card player, and what he wanted most was to have one last poker night with his friends. He couldn’t host it at home, so we stepped in to make it happen.
“He invited eight of his closest friends, and even went as far as ordering a custom glass trophy with the words ‘Mount Edgcumbe Hospice Poker Winner 2024’ engraved on it. We took care of the rest. Our chef whipped up a small buffet – just some sandwiches and snacks. His friends arrived in the evening, bringing a few extra beverages for the occasion. We set up the patient lounge with everything they needed and made sure he was comfortably settled in his chair.
“The evening was magical. The room was filled with laughter as the friends played, and we poked our heads in a few times to check on them but mostly let them enjoy their night. It was wonderful to see how much fun they were having. And the best part? He won. It meant the world to him to win that trophy. “By the end of the game, he was exhausted but happy. He went to bed soon after, sleeping soundly through the night. It was such a beautiful moment, and I’m so grateful we could make that goal a reality for him. It’s moments like these that make this job so rewarding.”
Claire is one of the nurses at St Julia’s Hospice. This is a recollection of an event she remembers fondly. “We had this patient, a very young girl, who had been a dedicated volunteer at a local donkey sanctuary. Her biggest wish was to have a donkey visit the hospice for a day. When I first heard that, I thought, ‘How are we going to make that happen?’ But, of course, we arranged for the donkey to come on a Monday. Then, over the weekend, we got a phone call – could the donkey come in that day instead? It was a bit tricky because we don’t have senior staff on the weekends. But we thought, why not? Let’s make it happen. So, we said yes.
“It made the young girl’s day. But what was even more amazing was how it brought everyone together. Patients who rarely left their rooms came out to see the donkey. They were all petting it, feeding it ginger nuts – which is what donkeys love. Families who had never really interacted before were suddenly chatting, bonding over this sweet animal. It was such a beautiful day; the sun was shining, and even staff from St Michael’s came over to see what all the excitement was about.
“At some point, we thought, why not bring the donkey into the patients’ rooms? I remember worrying a bit – what if the donkey had an accident in one of the rooms? What would the housekeepers say? But thankfully, nothing like that happened. We brought the donkey to visit patients in their rooms, and the joy it spread was just incredible. People were thrilled, and it became the talk of the hospice for days. Some patients even phoned their relatives in the evening to say they’d seen a donkey. One relative called, quite concerned, saying, ‘My loved one says they saw a donkey today—that can’t be right, can it?’ But, of course, it was.
“I don’t think there was a dry eye in the place. It was such an emotional experience, especially for the young girl. She knew the donkey well from her volunteering, and seeing her so happy was incredibly moving for all of us, including her family. We took loads of photos, and it’s a day I’ll never forget. There was something extra special about it – maybe because it felt a bit mischievous, knowing we weren’t supposed to bring the donkey in. “Donkey day” is one of those memories that will stay with me forever.”
These are just three examples of how the staff and volunteers make such a positive impact on the lives of those people who have limited time and the lengths they are prepared to go to achieve this. They are a credit to Cornwall Hospice Care and themselves.
